Luke 17:37
New International Version
“Where, Lord?” they asked. He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.”

New Living Translation
“Where will this happen, Lord?” the disciples asked. Jesus replied, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.”

English Standard Version
And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Where, Lord?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”

Berean Literal Bible
And answering, they say to Him, "Where, Lord?" And He said to them, "Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered together."

King James Bible
And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

New King James Version
And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?” So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”

New American Standard Bible
And responding, they said to Him, “Where, Lord?” And He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered.”

NASB 1995
And answering they said to Him, “Where, Lord?” And He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered.”

NASB 1977
And answering they said to Him, “Where, Lord?” And He said to them, “Where the body is, there also will the vultures be gathered.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And answering they said to Him, “Where, Lord?” And He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered.”

Amplified Bible
And they asked Him, “Where, Lord?” He answered, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will be gathered.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Where, Lord? ” they asked him. He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there also the vultures will be gathered.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Where, Lord?” they asked Him. He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there also the vultures will be gathered.”

American Standard Version
And they answering say unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Where the body is, thither will the eagles also be gathered together.

Contemporary English Version
Then Jesus' disciples spoke up, "But where will this happen, Lord?" Jesus said, "Where there is a corpse, there will always be vultures."

English Revised Version
And they answering say unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Where the body is, thither will the eagles also be gathered together.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They asked him, "Where, Lord?" Jesus told them, "Vultures will gather wherever there is a dead body."

Good News Translation
The disciples asked him, "Where, Lord?" Jesus answered, "Wherever there is a dead body, the vultures will gather."

International Standard Version
Then they asked him, "Where, Lord, will this take place?" He told them, "Wherever there's a corpse, there the vultures will gather."

Majority Standard Bible
?Where, Lord?? they asked. Jesus answered, ?Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.?

NET Bible
Then the disciples said to him, "Where, Lord?" He replied to them, "Where the dead body is, there the vultures will gather."

New Heart English Bible
They, answering, asked him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the body is, there will the vultures also be gathered together."

Webster's Bible Translation
And they answered and said to him, Where Lord? And he said to them, Wherever the body is, thither will the eagles be collected.

Weymouth New Testament
"Where, Master?" they inquired. "Where the dead body is," He replied, "there also will the vultures flock together."

World English Bible
They, answering, asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there the vultures will also be gathered together.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they answering say to Him, “Where, Lord?” And He said to them, “Where the body [is], there the eagles will be gathered together.”

Berean Literal Bible
And answering, they say to Him, "Where, Lord?" And He said to them, "Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered together."

Young's Literal Translation
And they answering say to him, 'Where, sir?' and he said to them, 'Where the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And having answered, they say to him, Where, Lord And he said to them, Where the body, there shall the eagles be gathered together.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who said to them: Wheresoever the body shall be, thither will the eagles also be gathered together.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to them, “Wherever the body will be, in that place also, the eagles shall be gathered together.”

New American Bible
They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then they asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They answered and said to him, Our Lord, to what place? He said to them, Wherever the corpse is, there will the eagles gather.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they answered and they were saying to him, “To where, Our Lord?” He said to them, “Wherever the bodies are, there the eagles shall be gathered.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they answered and said to him. Where, Lord? And he said to them: Where the body is, there will the vultures be gathered.

Godbey New Testament
Responding they say to Him, Where, Lord? And He said to them, Where the body is, there the eagles will also be gathered together.

Haweis New Testament
And they answering, said to him, Where, Lord? And he said, Wherever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Mace New Testament
then they ask'd him, where, Lord, will this happen? he reply'd, wherever the carcase is, there will the eagles hover together.

Weymouth New Testament
"Where, Master?" they inquired. "Where the dead body is," He replied, "there also will the vultures flock together."

Worrell New Testament
And, answering, they say to Him, "Where, Lord?" and He said to them, "Where the body is, there will the eagles also be gathered together."

Worsley New Testament
And they answered and said unto Him, Where, Lord? And He said to them, where the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Coming of the Kingdom
37“Where, Lord?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”

Cross References
Matthew 24:28
Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

Job 39:30
His young ones feast on blood; and where the slain are, there he is.”

Revelation 19:17-18
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, / so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.”

Habakkuk 1:8
Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour.

Ezekiel 39:17-20
And as for you, son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says: Call out to every kind of bird and to every beast of the field: ‘Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrificial feast that I am preparing for you, a great feast on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. / You will eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls—all the fattened animals of Bashan. / At the sacrifice I am preparing, you will eat fat until you are gorged and drink blood until you are drunk. ...

Jeremiah 12:9
Is not My inheritance to Me like a speckled bird of prey with other birds of prey circling against her? Go, gather all the beasts of the field; bring them to devour her.

Hosea 8:1
Put the ram’s horn to your lips! An eagle looms over the house of the LORD, because the people have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law.

Isaiah 34:15
There the owl will make her nest; she will lay and hatch her eggs and gather her brood under her shadow. Even there the birds of prey will gather, each with its mate.

Deuteronomy 28:26
Your corpses will be food for all the birds of the air and beasts of the earth, with no one to scare them away.

1 Samuel 17:44
“Come here,” he called to David, “and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”

Proverbs 30:17
As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.

Isaiah 18:6
They will all be left to the mountain birds of prey, and to the beasts of the land. The birds will feed on them in summer, and all the wild animals in winter.

Jeremiah 7:33
The corpses of this people will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to scare them away.

Jeremiah 16:4
“They will die from deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried, but will lie like dung on the ground. They will be finished off by sword and famine, and their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and beasts of the earth.”

Jeremiah 19:7
And in this place I will ruin the plans of Judah and Jerusalem. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies, by the hands of those who seek their lives, and I will give their carcasses as food to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.


Treasury of Scripture

And they answered and said to him, Where, Lord? And he said to them, Wherever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

wheresoever.

Job 39:29,30
From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off…

Daniel 9:26,27
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined…

Amos 9:1-4
I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered…

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Luke 17
1. Jesus teaches to avoid occasions of offense;
3. and to forgive one another.
5. The power of faith.
6. How we are bound to God.
11. Jesus heals ten lepers.
22. Of the kingdom of God, and the coming of the Son of Man.














Where there is a carcass
The word "carcass" in this context is translated from the Greek word "ptōma," which refers to a fallen body or corpse. In the biblical narrative, a carcass often symbolizes spiritual death or judgment. The imagery of a carcass can be seen as a metaphor for the state of the world or individuals who have turned away from God, resulting in spiritual decay. Historically, carcasses were unclean according to Jewish law, symbolizing impurity and separation from God. This phrase serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of spiritual vigilance.

there the vultures
The term "vultures" is derived from the Greek word "aetoi," which can also mean eagles. In the ancient world, vultures were known for their keen eyesight and ability to locate dead bodies from great distances. This imagery is powerful, as it suggests an inevitability and certainty of divine judgment. Vultures gathering around a carcass is a natural occurrence, symbolizing how judgment will naturally follow spiritual death. From a scriptural perspective, this can be seen as a warning to remain spiritually alive and alert, avoiding the decay that attracts judgment.

will gather
The phrase "will gather" comes from the Greek "synagō," meaning to come together or assemble. This word is often used in the New Testament to describe the gathering of people, whether for worship or other purposes. In this context, it emphasizes the certainty and inevitability of the event. Just as vultures instinctively gather around a carcass, so too will judgment come upon those who are spiritually dead. This serves as a call to repentance and spiritual renewal, encouraging believers to remain faithful and vigilant in their walk with God.

(37) Where, Lord?--The question comes in naturally here, where the future had been foreshadowed in parables and dark sayings. It would not have been natural in Matthew 24:28, where the whole context determined the locality of which our Lord was speaking.

Wheresoever the body is.--See Note on Matthew 24:28, the only variation being the use of "body" instead of "carcase." The repetition of the half-proverbial saying at a later period indicates its importance as a law of God's government. Men ask where His judgments fall, and the answer is that they fall wherever they are needed.

Verse 37. - And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? The disciples were still unable to grasp the full meaning of their Master's words when he spoke of his second advent being visible in all parts of the world, comparing it to a flash of lightning which gleams at the same instant in every point of the horizon. "Where, Lord, will all this take place which thou hast been telling us about?" And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. The imagery is taken from Job 39:30, "Where the slain are, there is she" (the eagle); the bird intended being most probably the great vulture, well known in Syria. It is seen, for instance, travellers tell us, in hundreds on the Plain of Gennesaret; it is a hideous looking bird, equal to the eagle in size and strength, and acts as a scavenger to purify the earth from the putrid carcases with which it would otherwise be encumbered. "Do you ask where all this will take place? As the curtain of the future rolls up be fore my inward eye, I see the vultures of Divine vengeance flying in flocks athwart the whole area of the earth; the sky is darkened with their numbers; far as my eye can reach, I still see them. Alas l for the habitable earth, my Father's goodly world... it is rank everywhere with corruption..., wheresoever the carcase is, there the vultures will gather together" (Dr. Morrison). The Lord's answer to the question - "Where?" was that his words applied to the whole earth. The terrible and awful scenes he had pictured would take place everywhere. The carcase, as Godet phrases it, is "humanity, entirely secular and destitute of the life of God The eagles (vultures) represent punishment alighting on such a society." There is another interpretation of these words, which, although many great expositors favour it, must be rejected as improbable, being so alien to the context of the whole passage." The dead body (the carcase), according to these interpreters, is the body of Christ, and the eagles are his saints, who flock to his presence, and who feed upon him, especially in the act of Holy Communion.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Where,
Ποῦ (Pou)
Adverb
Strong's 4226: Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality.

Lord?”
Κύριε (Kyrie)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

they asked.
ἀποκριθέντες (apokrithentes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

[Jesus] answered,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“Wherever [there is]
Ὅπου (Hopou)
Adverb
Strong's 3699: Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot.

a
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

carcass,
σῶμα (sōma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.

there
ἐκεῖ (ekei)
Adverb
Strong's 1563: (a) there, yonder, in that place, (b) thither, there. Of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

vultures
ἀετοὶ (aetoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 105: An eagle, bird of prey. From the same as aer; an eagle.

will gather.”
ἐπισυναχθήσονται (episynachthēsontai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1996: To collect, gather together, assemble. From epi and sunago; to collect upon the same place.


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NT Gospels: Luke 17:37 They answering asked him Where Lord? He (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 17:36
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